USGS Volcano Notice - DOI-USGS-HVO-2023-09-10T20:56:55-07:00

Kīlauea volcano is erupting. Eruptive activity is currently confined to Halemaʻumaʻu crater and the downdropped block to the east of the crater, within Kīlauea's summit caldera. No unusual activity has been noted along Kīlauea’s East Rift Zone or Southwest Rift Zone. 

Kīlauea volcano began erupting at approximately 3:15 p.m. HST this afternoon, September 10. As of 7 p.m. HST, multiple minor fountains remain active in the eastern portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor and on the downdropped block within Kīlauea's summit caldera. The line of fissures stretches approximately 0.8 miles (1.4 km), from the eastern part of Halema‘uma‘u crater floor extending into the east wall of the downdropped block. Lava fountain heights have decreased since the eruption onset, but remain up to about 20-25 meters (65-82 feet) high. Lava erupted from fissures on the downdropped block is flowing in a westward direction towards Halema‘uma‘u crater, the eastern portion of which is covered with actively flowing lava. The laser rangefinder is aimed at a western portion of Halema‘uma‘u crater, not near the new eruptive activity, and recorded less than 1 m (3 feet) of new lava added to that portion of the crater floor. An estimate of effusion rate will be provided after an overflight of the new eruption site tomorrow morning.

Summit tilt switched from inflation to deflation shortly after the eruption onset today. Summit earthquake activity greatly diminished following the eruption onset and was replaced by continuous eruptive tremor (a signal associated with fluid movement). Volcanic gas emissions in the eruption area are elevated; between 4 and 5 p.m. today, HVO staff measured preliminary sulfur dioxide (SO2) emission rates of up to 100,000 tonnes per day or more. 

Kīlauea’s volcano alert level and aviation color code will remain at WARNING/RED as hazards associated with the eruption onset are evaluated overnight.  

HVO will continue to monitor this activity closely and report any significant changes in future notices.

HVO is in constant communication with Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park.

A live-stream video of the eruption is available at https://www.youtube.com/usgs/live.

Kīlauea summit webcam views are available at https://www.usgs.gov/volcanoes/kilauea/summit-webcams.

The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to monitor Kīlauea and other Hawaiian volcanoes for any changes.